When driving to the South, When driving hours and hours on wooded landscapes, it is always shocking to see suddenly in Suomusalmi hundreds of scarecrows, which are dancing in the wind on a meadow. At first sight they are looking like human beings, because they have cloths on. Very soon it is understood, that they are some kind of scarecrows.

Officially these turf heads are called Silent People. The artist and dancer Reijo Kela created them. What they are, it is everyone to decide, because Reijo Kela do not give the answer to us. Twice a year they change clothes. The people of Workshop of Hanslankarit(odd-job men) in Suomussalmi make the exchange of clothes. That Workshop of Hanslankarit is intended for young people between 17-28 years old. Hanslankarit is giving work for young people and help them better adapt to the working life.

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Thank you for these fascinating photos. One question please! Did you see any birds (Crows) sitting on the Scarecrows? I put one in my garden a long time ago and all the birds used it as a place to observe how they could eat my cabbages.

Thank You. No, we did not see any crows there, if I remember correct. Maybe it was due to the wind which started to wave cloths. Some people in Finland use “Vappuhyrrä”. My dictionary is not giving its name in English, but I found a photo from it:

It is intended for kids on the first of May and it spins fast in the wind or even when walking. Children love it. For example my mother has two of them on her balcony. It prevents completely birds to poop on the balcony. Maybe You might try to by one when You come to Helsinki next month. Remember the name.

I am glad that You did take a look at these. They are indeed something which cannot be seen so often. If they would not be so far away, it would be great to drive to there and to take a look at them when the ground is covered with snow. I think those then many of the turf heads are “snow-white” covered by snow and ice. 🙂

Thank You commenting. So it might be indeed. For us this was the second time when we saw them. Few years ago we saw them in Winter cloths. There a link to my old post from 2009 in which You can see them.

Just imagine what goes on among the Silent People when there’s no one around. What conversations! Certainly, that’d make an interesting blog.

I wonder how the clothes are donated and what happens to the clothes afterwards. Do the Silent People wear their sets of clothing only once? Or are the clothes washed for the following change? I would imagine the elements take their toll on the clothes, so maybe they’re discarded after each use?

I’m imagining a magazine or booklet with photos and “stories” of the Silent People and so much more.

Well, I am sure that the people of Workshop of Hanslankarit are washing also these cloths. I do not know how huge collection they have, but sure they change “new cloths” if there are. Yes, from these one could make a booklet, maybe a good one.

Anyway, I am sure that this is one of the most curious places in Finland to explore.

Thank You. You are so right when saying that they are a little creepy too. I felt so when I was walking among them and shooting photos. This can be in the video which Anja took; I am creeping between them in such a way that they do not recognize me. 🙂

The father of the idea of this is artist and dancer Reijo Kela. We he created these, he never told. It is sure that for a poor commune this is some kind of advertisement. I have seen some photos that at tourist season many have to leave their car beside the road, because the parking place is full. Overall this is not any tourist trap because its location is far away from population centers.

This is simply the oddest scene I’ve ever seen. Kind of creepy, in fact. I really would like to hear the story behind this. Many of the clothes look really nice, like they could be put to better use, given to people in need. That said, thanks for sharing this oddity.

I am glad that You checked my post. The fact is that if somebody for example sells on flea markets T-shirts, then it must be really special. Every people here, even the most poor, have a lot of T-shirts and Sweaters enough here. There are some organizations which collect clothes and send them to poor countries.

We just tested to sell clothes and some of my T-shirts (washed and ironed) on flea market during one week with poor results. Our garden books sold very well.

I enjoyed your presentation very much Sartenada… the shirts on the scarecrows are from around the world… and it is most interesting how they are dispersed around the property and the buildings… even the outhouse… and the way that they dance in the wind… this area of Finland looks very much like where we live with the pine and spruce trees… our home is on a lake about 125 miles south of James Bay in Canada… it is nice to hear from you again….peter:)

Thank You. The site is quite near to the Russian border and the landscape is so called backwoods. The small “cottage” in the photo 64 (to get the photo number, move mouse pointer over the photo) is an old traditional “milk collecting cottage”. Small farmers collected their milk to this kind of building for transport to dairies. I live in the Southern part of Finland and our house is surrounded by pines. I am very glad that You commented my post.

When a car drives past, these startle so much, that one has to stop a car and needs to look at them carefully. I was also surprised about the amount of clothes coming from all of world. Well, I tried to do my best and find so many as possible from U.S.A of course.

How unusual! Thanks for sharing, first the photos and then the video capturing the movement. Wow, a surreal and maybe even mystical experience. Was there any sound from the wind or other noises – the cars? Any scents in the air?

Thank You leaving Your comment and watching my wife’s video also in addition to check my photos. Both of them complete each other. Wind whistled yes every now and then and some cars passed fast. Hmm, maybe they were afraid these scarecrows. 🙂

Thank You so much for Your comment. I am very glad that You like this posts and watched the video shot by my wife. I very seldom present our videos here, but with this 4 month lasting travel posts, I wanted to show 3 videos. More videos are to be found in YouTube.

Wow! The video makes them really seem alive as their clothes dance in the wind. This has to be one of the most interesting places you’ve showed us. I wonder how the artist got this idea. It would be very interesting to be there on clothes-chaning day, I think. Thanks, matti and Anja, for wonderful photos and video. Janet

Thank you for sharing this, Matti. It’s lovely to see, although I agree with you that it would be quite a surprise to come upon them all as you were driving past if you didn’t already know about them! Wishing you a happy week.

This is something I had never seen or on TV, no pictures ….Is spectacular!, The second photo is amazing, really all, but that I loved, is something very original and must be shocking to see him, many Gracis per share, a hug

Take this opportunity to let you know that although I am subscribed to your blog, I get your new post, I notice that no fence to be happening to someone else

Hi, thanks for checking out my blog. Really pleased you made a comment on my post about Weird things you see as you travel because now I’ve had the chance to read this post and look at the ‘dancing scarecrows’ up in your part of the world. Haven’t got as far as Finland yet but hope to some day. Cheers, Mark

Thank You for Your kind comment. This was just one example from my many posts. If You someday decide to visit Finland. We have pure nature, lakes on which You could make lake cruises and then Lapland, which is the northernmost part of our country. Even in winter, Finland offers something that are unique only in Finland. I show here only two places just to give idea:

Yes, it is “shocking” to see them at first time. When on road trip, must to stop. I am sure that they have winter cloths now and thus not suffer from cold and windy weather. Thank You for Your kind comment.

Thank checking one of my favorite place (hidden gem), in the middle of nowhere, in Finland which nearly unknown to many. Visitor can leave their own dresses there if they want. That is why there were many T-shirts round the world.

Recently they changed summer clothes. I am glad that You commented this post, because I love this incredible place. Thank You leaving so nice comment. It seems that in Finland we have some art and odd things to be founded. Here is one of my first posts from 2009. It is unique, because I was maybe the first ever to present these jolly clay art.